Which term describes the strand used as a template to guide synthesis?

Which term describes the strand used as a template to guide synthesis?

• A. Leading strand
• B. Lagging strand
• C. Antiparallel strand
• D. Template strand

Answer: (D)

The strand used as the blueprint for building a new strand is called the template strand. During DNA replication, DNA polymerase reads this template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes a new complementary strand in the 5' to 3' direction. The terms leading and lagging describe the nature of the newly made strands on the template, not which strand serves as the template. Antiparallel refers to the opposite orientation of the two DNA strands, again not specifically the template. So, the template strand is the one that guides synthesis.

The strand used as the blueprint for building a new strand is called the template strand. During DNA replication, DNA polymerase reads this template strand in the 3' to 5' direction and synthesizes a new complementary strand in the 5' to 3' direction. The terms leading and lagging describe the nature of the newly made strands on the template, not which strand serves as the template. Antiparallel refers to the opposite orientation of the two DNA strands, again not specifically the template. So, the template strand is the one that guides synthesis.